this, the Quran was revealed proclaiming her innocence and that he should retain her as his wife, in agreement with the counsel of Usāma ibn Zayd, the beloved of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—(1). Umar would also participate in consultations of this kind and speak to the Prophet’s wives about matters personal to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—until Umm Salama said to him:
“Umar, you have involved yourself in everything, to the point that you have come between Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and his wives.”
As for overarching public affairs affecting the Muslims as a whole, when there was no specific revelation concerning them, he would consult Abū Bakr and Umar. Although others also participated in the consultation, those two were its principal figures. At times the Quran would be revealed in agreement with Umar’s judgment, while at other times it would become clear to him that the truth lay contrary to his opinion, and he would retract it.
As for Abū Bakr, it is not known that the Prophet ever objected to anything he did (2), nor would Abū Bakr put himself forward in any matter. The sole exception was when he and Umar disagreed over whom to appoint from Banū Tamīm, until their voices rose. Allah then revealed this verse:
“O you who believe, do not raise your voices above the Prophet’s voice, nor speak loudly to him,” to the end of the verse [Surah al-Hujurāt: 2].
The Prophet’s distress at this was no greater than his distress in the incident involving Fātima. Allah Most High said:
“It is not for you to harm the Messenger of Allah” [Surah al-Ahzāb: 23].
Allah Most High also revealed concerning Alī:
“O you who believe, do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you know what you are saying” [Surah al-Nisā: 43],
when he prayed and muddled the recitation (3).
(1) See the hadith of the Slander cited earlier, 4/33.
(2) That is, it is not known that Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—ever objected to anything Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—did.
(3) In his commentary on the beginning of verse 43 of Surah al-Nisā, Ibn Kathīr cited a hadith from Ibn Abī Hātim—reproducing its chain of transmission—from Alī ibn Abī Tālib, who said: “Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf prepared food for us, invited us, and served us wine. The wine took hold of us, and the time for prayer arrived, so they put forward a certain man. He recited: ‘Say: O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship, and we worship what you worship.’ Allah then revealed: ‘O you who believe, do not approach prayer while intoxicated, until you know what you are saying.’” Ibn Kathīr said: “This is how Ibn Abī Hātim narrated it. Al-Tirmidhī likewise narrated it from Abd ibn Humayd, from Abd al-Rahmān al-Dashtakī, and graded it *hasan sahīh* (good and sound).”
Ibn Kathīr then cited another hadith narrated by Ibn Jarīr al-Tabarī, according to which the person who led them in prayer was Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf. He then said: “Abū Dāwūd and al-Nasā'ī likewise narrated it by way of al-Thawrī.” Ibn Kathīr also cited a third hadith narrated by Ibn Jarīr al-Tabarī, according to which the person who led the prayer was Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him. He further cited a fourth hadith narrated by Ibn Jarīr, according to which the imam was Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf; its wording differs slightly from the first hadith narrated by Ibn Abī Hātim.
See *Tafsīr al-Tabarī*, Maārif edition, 8/376 (reports 9524 and 9525). The hadith is also in *Sunan al-Tirmidhī*, 4/305 (Book of Quranic Exegesis, Surah al-Nisā), narrated from Alī ibn Abī Tālib. Its wording includes: “…The wine took hold of us, and the time for prayer arrived, so they put me forward and I recited…” Al-Tirmidhī said: “This hadith is *hasan gharīb sahīh* (good, singular in its transmission, and sound).”
As for Alī’s hadith in *Sunan Abī Dāwūd*, it appears at 3/445 (Book of Drinks, chapter on the prohibition of wine). It states that a man from the Ansār invited Alī and Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf and served them wine before it had been prohibited. Alī then led them in the Maghrib prayer and recited… etc.